Loose-leaf book.



R. G. WHITLOCK.

LOOSE LEAF BOOK.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2:; 1918.

1,278,267. Patented Sept. 10,1918.

us ca. Puc'ra-Llrxa, wasrmva mu, 0. c.

- a citizen of the United details of the opening and locking STAS RALPH G. WHITLOCK, 015 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

LOOSE-LEAF BOOK.

Application filed February 21, 1918. Serial No. 218,578.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH G. WVrnrLooK, States, residing at the city of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Books, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the construction of the metal portions of the cover or case, which for distinction I call the back frame, and the object thereof is to cheapen the construction of such portions and to provide simple means for opening and cl oslng the ring members which, at the same time, locks them in their closed or holds them in their open positions. 0

In the drawings forming a part of this application: I

Figure 1 is a top plan of the back frame.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragment showing means.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view showing the ring members in their open position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragment showing a slight modification which omits the lock.

Referring to the drawings 10 is a plece of sheet metal, preferably of mild steel, which forms the back member. Near the ends and in the central portion the edges of the back member are turned over into hinge members 11 on one side and into retaining lugs 12 on the other side. In the hinge members are revolubly mounted the side members 13 and 14. In lugs 12 are mounted side members, 15 and 16. At approximately a point the distance of one fourth the length of the back member, when the parts are assembled for use, the side members are bent into what may be termed offsetting arms or portions.

The arms of members 13 and 14: are marked 17 and 18 and project but slightly. The arms of members 15 and 16 are marked 19 and 20 and project preferably to near the center of the back member. When the parts are assembled and the ring members are closed these arms lie in a plane parallel to the back member. The ends of members 13 to 16 terminate in half ring members 21 and 22, which meet when closed centrally over the back member as shown in Fig. 1. From the back member are struck longitudinal lugs 23 which project over the arms of members 15 and 16 and hold the same from turning thereby retaining the half ring members 22 in fixed relation to the back member. From the back member at arms 17 and 18 are struck transverse tongues 2 1 the free ends of which are bent to lie upon arms 17 and 18 when the ring members are closed. These tongues are corrugated longitudinally of the tongues, thereby making the tongues resilient and forming them into spring tongues, which lie under arms 17 and 18. These arms aid the spring action. To cause side members 13 and 14 to move in unison, I connect them by a tube 25 or other suitable connection. On the outer end of member 14 I secure a tube 26 which has a slot 27 therein. In this tube is slidably mounted the shank 28 of the opening and closing lever 29. In shank 28 is a pin 30 which projects into slot 27 and prevents the shank from coming out of the tube. From the back member is turned a hinge member 31 through which shank 28 passes. The inner edge of member 31 for a portion of its length is cutaway as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that when the ring members are closed lever 29 may be slid to lie partly under the hinge and thereby lock the rings closed. To more effectually lock the rings closed I turn from the back member from the edge opposite member 31, a lock hook 32, under which the outer end of lever 29 is slid when the rings are closed and it is desired to lock them. If desired this hook could form the only look but in that event hinge 31 would be shorter. At each end the back member is bent over to form end hooks 33 into which the outer member of the cover, not shown, is received when glued upon the back member. In Fig. 4 I show a slight modification. In this construction the shank of the opening lever is not slidable in tube 26. If desired other means can be used to secure side members 15 and 16 to the back member.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. In a loose leaf book a back frame composed of a back member having its ends turned upwardly and then turned to project toward each other; side members provided with half ring members secured to said back member, the side members on one side bein rigidly secured to the back member, and the side members on the other side being revolubly secured to the back member; and an opening lever secured to the revoluble side member.

2. In a loose leaf book a back frame composed of a back member having portions thereof formed into spring members, said spring members belng transverse to the central longitudinal line of said-back member;

the. otherside beingrevolubl-y securedto the backmember, said revoluble side members having arms adapted to be engaged by the spring members of the back member to'hold the ring members open or closed.

3. In aloose-leaf book aback frame composed' of a back member having portions thereof formed into spring members; side members provided With half ring members, secured to said backlmemben the side members on onev side being rigidly secured to the baek member and the side members onthe other side being revolubly secured to the back members, said revoluble side members having arms adapted to be engaged by the spring members of the back member to hold 25 the'ring members open or closed, an open" ing lever slidably connected to said revoluble side members; and means to lock sa1d lever when therin members are closed.

RALPH e. 'WHITLOCK.

Qopies ot'this patent may be obtained ior five-.cents each, gby gfldressingfthc Commissioner oLPatentg, .Wgshingtombrfl. 

